1999 I met Adrian after a show in Essen Germany and asked about this riff and song. He said to me the idea for the main riff came from the writing session of Back in the village from powerslave. A Year later he added the pre chorus and chorus and finished the lyrics another year later. He thought the main riff would be too heavy for Maiden, but Steve liked it.,,,,also the first part from the solo sounds like the first part of The Wicker Man solo :)
That's amazing and it makes perfect sense because there is definitely a similarity with the Back in the Village riff! Both are pedal point riffs with a rolling kind of feel and in the same position too! Thanks for sharing that conversation. That must have been so cool!! Cheers man 🤜🤛
That's great you still remember this conversation after 21 years. Indeed the riff reminds Back in the village song. Probably rock 70's inspired Adrian to write it. 🤘
I always wondered how the hell they played this and I was right in thinking there was 2 different riffs overlayed because there was no humanly way possible to get that with one hand This gives me a new appreciation for this song and the band members as a whole. God damn. You have to have 2 guitar players to make this happen
Maiden's music is deceptively simple. Their songs are easy to play until you start to really delve into them and break them down. There is a lot more finesse in their playing and arranging than is first apparent... and that's pretty cool! 😁
It is remarkable that you ALWAYS get spot on the tone and feel of Adrian, Dave and Janick although they are so different players! You are doing an amazing job 🤘
I love this stuff, been listening and playing maiden all my life. I love the way you show how this stuff is actually played. Me and my guitar friends love your stuff. Please keep it coming. Many, many thanks
Ah man I don't even know what to say to that. Thank you so so much for the encouraging words!! I am just glad it's helpful and interesting...Definitely TONS more to come. Cheers! 🤜🤛
I cut class the day this album was available in my home town record store. As a matter of fact I didn't go to school after I had this record in my hands. I went home immediately to listen to it. When this song came on. I played it twice.
another 10/10 Nico, i have the book you speak of, bought it as a boy in the early 90's transcribed by Wolf Marshall with Powerslave. never ever thought it was right, but a perfect video. thanks.
Thank you! Yeah that's the one... Overall they were pretty good transcriptions (Wolf Marshall is great) but some bits were just off - most likely due to not having a firm grasp over their playing style at the time. Glad this video helped!
Wow that's a real eye opener man! You have great ears! I've came up with a transcriptions after being disappointed with the tab book but couldn't be really sure of it because of the heavy chorus and reverb! Thanks again!
This wasn't just a great tutorial on how to play Sea of Madness, but one of the better guitar tutorials I've seen overall. Really great job for breaking down this highly under-rated, absolutely brilliant song!
1000 thanks! Glad it was useful 🙂 I made a mistake on Adrian's part in this video: I hit the D note twice when it should be only once. The second time he goes to C#. I show it better in the full song breakdown I did a little after this one: th-cam.com/video/nkH1FNvrGfE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=drypK0cOMusmGZc9 Cheers!
Thank you! I kind off have been not wanting to learn this song because i did not understand how to play the main riff. But now i know how to play it, thank you!
Awesome! I forgot to mention that before the band comes in, Adrian also adds in an A on the 4th string at the 7th fret on the accented note. Glad this encouraged you to learn this song because it's so much fun to play!
After 4 years of trying to play this and watching this video many times. Iv finally wrapped my head around Adrian's part. The repeated notes was the bit that screwed with my brain for years.
Great breakdown of these fantastic riff(s), with extra points awarded for adhering to the unwritten rule of guitar tutorials: all demonstrations shall conclude with colossal vibrato 🫨
Pazzesco! Sei stato davvero un sacco di aiuto, è davvero difficile trovare tutorial che ti spieghino come fare questo riff nella maniera giusta. Ora lo trovo mooolto più divertente da suonare 😄
I think we should also mention the beautiful calm bridge section right after the guitar solo, which is not so much a guitar part but a great composition
Absolutely... But let's not mention it in a video specifically about how to play the riff 🙂 Here's a video about the song: th-cam.com/video/nkH1FNvrGfE/w-d-xo.html
As a huge Maiden fan I love your videos. This is a tricky one but I really want to learn it since I've learned Adrian's solo already. (Again with your help-! Thanks!)
Frankly, your first impression was actually most correct. I too learned it that way to overcome the overdubs. Let me explain...If you are just ONE guitarist, you cannot play both parts simultaneously. Therefore, the A string version still “hits the ear” better because it mimics both parts. (Also, you need to dial in the chorus to mimic the GK amp’s chorus and sack that incorrect phaser effect going on.) I would play the “new version riff” at the very intro, then shift to the “classic A string version” once things kick in...as a lone guitarist, this would help one swim the Seas of Madness re: these killer dual riffs.
It is a very tricky riff... Especially Adrian's part! I did make a small mistake in this video though: the D note (6th string 10th fret) is only played once. The second time it's a C# (9th fret) and then C# again.
@@LicksOfTheBeastI finally did it! I finally figured out Adrian's part. I'm so happy right now. I cant stop playing it now that I figured it out!! Yeah I actually was wondering about the 10th fret an 9th fret deal. It sounds better that way so that must be how it is on the record. We need adrian to do a playthrough video of this song like he did for gangland!
Hahaha holy shit, I have the same book you are talking about! I've been revisiting a lot of these songs as Somewhere In Time is my most favorite album. I thought this tab book was the holy grail but have noticed some decent mistakes in it. The most recent one is the second lick in Back In The Village - the tab says to pull off from the 5th fret E string before it starts again but you can clearly hear his pulling off from the 3rd fret. Still a great book for the most part!
Yeah I gotta say it was one of the better tab books overall. They at least got a lot of the notes down correctly even though the fingering, phrasing or articulation wasn't always exact. It definitely helped me understand what to listen for so that I could learn other things by ear. 😊
It's madness! The sun don't shine on the riffs of madness! I originally picked up Dave's part by ear, thought it was just that with some light delay and chorus, and emphasis on every return to E7 to prevent the delay from blurring it all together. Then again nobody's there to tell you you're doing it wrong when you're jamming in a bedroom the size of a broom cupboard.
Like you, I got closer and closer over the years...but the syncopation was the key!! Thank you!! Can you do the intro? I hear chords and a&d same fret don't feel right.
Thank you! Glad you liked it! The intro is pretty much the same but yes there is an A played with the E on the accent. I think I will do a follow up video to this one to explain a few more things.
@@LicksOfTheBeast You are the Uncle Ben of Iron Maiden, Brother (an authority on accuracy- recognition fully deserved). I appreciate you sharing the wealth. We all do.
Just when I thought I had it fingered out ! I actually did the same thing visually following Dave's freting...but never could replicate the obvious descension
Such a lot of chorus, didn't help all guitarists good know this riff's. Everyone I play this riff, i feeld that somethnig was wrong. Now i know what:). Nico well done!!! You are the beast:). I'm very intersting, did anyone ask Dave and Adrian how to play this riff in guitarmagazins?
Nah I don't think there was ever any special attention paid to this riff. It's a bit of an overlooked song, really... Glad you enjoyed the tutorial though! 😃
Isn’t one of the guitars doing an A harmony on the 7th fret D string each time the note falls on E in the intro of the song? Like the verses are just like you showed us but the very intro has that A
@@LicksOfTheBeast If Adrian instructed how Dave should track his rhythm guitars, then yes, but I kind of doubt that. Dave has always been kind of a 1st beat/downbeat player, which is what funk accentuates so clearly. Killer song nonetheless though! :D
@@Nghilifa Aaah you meant Dave's part specifically....good point! Now the question is wad that all prearranged by Adrian, did Dave funk it up a bit or did he just decide to follow Steve's bass line? These are conversations I'd love to have with the guys someday! ☺️
Great video and i agree with everything, except for the main riff that adrian plays. This main riff has been a pain for me too and trying to find how its actually played, as smith and murray both play it differently, thus "creating the madness" in a way. My opinion of the riff is that Adrian actually plays the same riff as dave, BUT he is accenting the second highest note of the "repeating lick" (if we see the moment he plays E on the A-string as the end of one repeat) once more when the next repeat starts, not continously as you suggested. There is a video from gothenburg -86 where is a longer bit of close up from Adrian playing it and it seems to me that he doesnt repeat the second highest note that many times as you suggested. Also this one clip you can hear it a bit clearer than most of the old live shows that are available on youtube (th-cam.com/video/0Lks5XvHgaQ/w-d-xo.html).
1999 I met Adrian after a show in Essen Germany and asked about this riff and song. He said to me the idea for the main riff came from the writing session of Back in the village from powerslave. A Year later he added the pre chorus and chorus and finished the lyrics another year later. He thought the main riff would be too heavy for Maiden, but Steve liked it.,,,,also the first part from the solo sounds like the first part of The Wicker Man solo :)
That's amazing and it makes perfect sense because there is definitely a similarity with the Back in the Village riff! Both are pedal point riffs with a rolling kind of feel and in the same position too! Thanks for sharing that conversation. That must have been so cool!! Cheers man 🤜🤛
That's great you still remember this conversation after 21 years. Indeed the riff reminds Back in the village song. Probably rock 70's inspired Adrian to write it. 🤘
@@altramelody If you meet your idol this is one of the best moments of your life, so it's easy to remember ;)
@@Alfons66666 I met Adrian after concert too, but I haven't had an opportunity to ask any questions 😁
you put a smile in my face by reading your adrian/main riff story. Thanks.
Absolutely, one of Maidens best tunes
Adrian Smith will go down in history as the greatest, song writing, guitarist.
This riff confused me so bad when I started out playing guitar. You have some seriously awesome dedication to figure all this out. Very cool!
you open my eyes again, after playing it wrong so many years
Even the main riff transmits a vibe of "madness" somehow
Very very true!
The most beautiful, complex, emotional and meaningful music of Iron Maiden
Agreed, my favorite Maiden album along with seventh son.
@@israel4ever487 Same here. Wasted years, is even more meaningful lyrics, but slightly less exhilarating music. Both masterpieces.
I always wondered how the hell they played this and I was right in thinking there was 2 different riffs overlayed because there was no humanly way possible to get that with one hand
This gives me a new appreciation for this song and the band members as a whole. God damn. You have to have 2 guitar players to make this happen
Maiden's music is deceptively simple. Their songs are easy to play until you start to really delve into them and break them down. There is a lot more finesse in their playing and arranging than is first apparent... and that's pretty cool! 😁
Thank you so much, this riff gave me nightmares for decades! You're great!
I totally hear ya and I am really glad I could help! Thanks a bunch for watching and for the kind words ☺️
I really appreciate your channel! I don’t play at all, but love Maiden, and find everything Dave, Adrian, and Janick do so fascinating!
Wow it makes me so happy to hear that! Thank you very much ☺️
It is remarkable that you ALWAYS get spot on the tone and feel of Adrian, Dave and Janick although they are so different players! You are doing an amazing job 🤘
Thank you so much 🙏🙇🏻
That is very encouraging in a big way!!
@@LicksOfTheBeast it is true my friend 🤘 keep doing what you do and your channel will get bigger and bigger!! 🤘
Great riff and explanation 🎸
1000 thanks!
I love this stuff, been listening and playing maiden all my life. I love the way you show how this stuff is actually played. Me and my guitar friends love your stuff. Please keep it coming. Many, many thanks
Ah man I don't even know what to say to that. Thank you so so much for the encouraging words!! I am just glad it's helpful and interesting...Definitely TONS more to come. Cheers! 🤜🤛
Thank you. The only Maiden riff my brain couldn't figure out.
Same here.
I am jealous of how nice those lights are.
This riff plagued my brain for years. One of my favorites on SIT
Same here on both points! 🙂
I cut class the day this album was available in my home town record store. As a matter of fact I didn't go to school after I had this record in my hands. I went home immediately to listen to it. When this song came on. I played it twice.
You have a great way of making your descriptions very interesting! And nice detective work finding the actual fingering from Adrian and Dave :)
Hey thanks so much man! 😃
Orgasmic riff, song, teacher.
Great job as always.
Great, I changed my way of playing that riff after seeing your video, really interesting. Thank for sharing. I subscribe !
Thank you so much for watching and subscribing 😃
I give a few more important details about it here:
th-cam.com/video/nkH1FNvrGfE/w-d-xo.html
I've always think that the repetition came from the delay effect. Great tip, brother. 🤘🏼
I thought it was the Gallien Krueger RL/ML 250 chorus and echo.
@@The73mp73 The GK echo is more like a hall reverb, that's not it.
But yeah, i thought it was actually a delay.
Wow, who in their right mind gave this a thumbs down? Sounds perfect to me. Great instruction.
Hey thank you very much! 😊
A Lil Wayne fan
another 10/10 Nico, i have the book you speak of, bought it as a boy in the early 90's transcribed by Wolf Marshall with Powerslave. never ever thought it was right, but a perfect video. thanks.
Thank you! Yeah that's the one... Overall they were pretty good transcriptions (Wolf Marshall is great) but some bits were just off - most likely due to not having a firm grasp over their playing style at the time. Glad this video helped!
Absolutely brilliant lesson! I really enjoyed the story of your progress with dissecting the riff here. I say again BRILLIANT!!!
Fantastic digging into a fantastic piece!
Wow that's a real eye opener man! You have great ears! I've came up with a transcriptions after being disappointed with the tab book but couldn't be really sure of it because of the heavy chorus and reverb! Thanks again!
This wasn't just a great tutorial on how to play Sea of Madness, but one of the better guitar tutorials I've seen overall. Really great job for breaking down this highly under-rated, absolutely brilliant song!
1000 thanks! Glad it was useful 🙂
I made a mistake on Adrian's part in this video: I hit the D note twice when it should be only once. The second time he goes to C#. I show it better in the full song breakdown I did a little after this one:
th-cam.com/video/nkH1FNvrGfE/w-d-xo.htmlsi=drypK0cOMusmGZc9
Cheers!
43 minutes ago...looking for the solo of yours from this song...and I bump into this...no way.
That's incredible timing! 😆
You just solved a 35 yesr old mystery for me. Great work!
Thank you! I kind off have been not wanting to learn this song because i did not understand how to play the main riff. But now i know how to play it, thank you!
Awesome! I forgot to mention that before the band comes in, Adrian also adds in an A on the 4th string at the 7th fret on the accented note. Glad this encouraged you to learn this song because it's so much fun to play!
@@LicksOfTheBeast Yes it is. And i love Somewhere in time album. Pure gold from start to finish.
@@LicksOfTheBeast and off course, i subscribed your channel. 👍🏻
@@mikkoristola7532 I appreciate that very much, thank you!!
After 4 years of trying to play this and watching this video many times. Iv finally wrapped my head around Adrian's part. The repeated notes was the bit that screwed with my brain for years.
Thank you so much Nico for this work of research.
Respect. 👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it! I go into more detail (and correct one note) in this video: th-cam.com/video/nkH1FNvrGfE/w-d-xo.html
@@LicksOfTheBeast Hi Nico thanks for having proposed that video
I requested for this a few days ago, so thanks so much. Sure it has not been easy to decypher. You got another subscriber.
Thank you so much! 😃🤘
I love this song and the rhythm is awesome! Your attention to deal is incredible and your videos rock!
Great breakdown of these fantastic riff(s), with extra points awarded for adhering to the unwritten rule of guitar tutorials: all demonstrations shall conclude with colossal vibrato 🫨
One of my favorite Maiden songs of all time. I'm going to have to work on this for a little bit to get it just right.
Check out this video too for more detail on the riff and the whole song
th-cam.com/video/nkH1FNvrGfE/w-d-xo.html
@@LicksOfTheBeast Thank you!
Pazzesco! Sei stato davvero un sacco di aiuto, è davvero difficile trovare tutorial che ti spieghino come fare questo riff nella maniera giusta. Ora lo trovo mooolto più divertente da suonare 😄
Grande!! Questo mi fa troppo piacere 😃
Great vid would love one on the main riff to Back In The Village
Good one!!
I think we should also mention the beautiful calm bridge section right after the guitar solo, which is not so much a guitar part but a great composition
Absolutely... But let's not mention it in a video specifically about how to play the riff 🙂
Here's a video about the song:
th-cam.com/video/nkH1FNvrGfE/w-d-xo.html
Great man…. Every New day is better with maiden ! Thanks from chile
As a huge Maiden fan I love your videos. This is a tricky one but I really want to learn it since I've learned Adrian's solo already. (Again with your help-! Thanks!)
Thanks so much! And this is definitely a fun song to play along to 😊
Man! I love Maiden, so I love this channel too!
You, sir, are a man of logic and reason. 🥂 😂
This was great! Thanks for all your efforts!
Thank YOU for watching and encouraging me!
Frankly, your first impression was actually most correct. I too learned it that way to overcome the overdubs.
Let me explain...If you are just ONE guitarist, you cannot play both parts simultaneously. Therefore, the A string version still “hits the ear” better because it mimics both parts. (Also, you need to dial in the chorus to mimic the GK amp’s chorus and sack that incorrect phaser effect going on.)
I would play the “new version riff” at the very intro, then shift to the “classic A string version” once things kick in...as a lone guitarist, this would help one swim the Seas of Madness re: these killer dual riffs.
I used to play the riffs the way you did... Now thanks to you I can learn it the right way. Great job man! 🙂
P.s.: sei italiano? 🇮🇹
Mi fa davvero tanto piacere che questo tutorial ti sia stato utile! 🙂
Ma si nota proprio tanto? 😂🇮🇹
@@LicksOfTheBeast haha si, si nota. Ma sarà che ho un buon orecchio.
3 years later and i still have trouble with this one lol
I must say that your explanation really helps me out!
It is a very tricky riff... Especially Adrian's part! I did make a small mistake in this video though: the D note (6th string 10th fret) is only played once.
The second time it's a C# (9th fret) and then C# again.
@@LicksOfTheBeast I just noticed the c# note actually. I always thought it was the other way lol.
This is the last song I have to learn on sit.
@@LicksOfTheBeastI finally did it! I finally figured out Adrian's part. I'm so happy right now. I cant stop playing it now that I figured it out!! Yeah I actually was wondering about the 10th fret an 9th fret deal. It sounds better that way so that must be how it is on the record.
We need adrian to do a playthrough video of this song like he did for gangland!
Thanks for that, truly valuable tips! Up the Irons 🎸
Good job man ! Still waiting for Caught somewhere in time main riff lesson
Damn…I had no idea it was this complicated. I hear and rock out before I can start analyzing…
That's the fun part! I like to rock out first and analyze later 🤘
Hahaha holy shit, I have the same book you are talking about! I've been revisiting a lot of these songs as Somewhere In Time is my most favorite album. I thought this tab book was the holy grail but have noticed some decent mistakes in it.
The most recent one is the second lick in Back In The Village - the tab says to pull off from the 5th fret E string before it starts again but you can clearly hear his pulling off from the 3rd fret. Still a great book for the most part!
Yeah I gotta say it was one of the better tab books overall. They at least got a lot of the notes down correctly even though the fingering, phrasing or articulation wasn't always exact. It definitely helped me understand what to listen for so that I could learn other things by ear. 😊
Figure out this riff must have been like decipher hieroglyphs.... Thanks for this lesson.
What an interesting video! Such an underrated song
Thanks so much! Glad you found it interesting 🙂
Incredible 👍
Cool hair change guitar god!! Hahah another awesome video, cheers !
You kill me 🤣🤣 Yeah let's just say I was way overdue for a little clean up 😁 Glad you liked this one!
This is awesome, thanks man!
Thank YOU for watching! Cheers!!
molto interessante non avrei mai pensato di analizzarlo cosi per impararlo.
Grazie! Sono contento che ti sia piaciuto ☺️
It's madness! The sun don't shine on the riffs of madness!
I originally picked up Dave's part by ear, thought it was just that with some light delay and chorus, and emphasis on every return to E7 to prevent the delay from blurring it all together. Then again nobody's there to tell you you're doing it wrong when you're jamming in a bedroom the size of a broom cupboard.
Fucking awesome as always!!!
Can you do one showing the chorus too? This whole song is a banger.
Guys like you are a godsend thankyou bro for your generous knowledge respect man
That really means a lot to me. Thank you so much!
@@LicksOfTheBeast your welcome man your youtube gold mate
That's my favorite Maiden song, shame this music was never played live.
They did play it on the first leg of the original tour. There is some good footage of it here on TH-cam 🙂
Great video! Off topic.. Where did you buy the painting of Adrian Smith, behind your back? Thank you.
Thanks!
I got it as a gift... I know it came from someone who was selling his drawings on Etsy but I can no longer find his page.
Nice explanation
Dave's is the one I heard when I worked it out the first time, never heard Adrians, its a really tricky one to figure out for sure
You're a legend!
Haha thank you! 🙏🙏
Adrian was always classy!
Like you, I got closer and closer over the years...but the syncopation was the key!!
Thank you!!
Can you do the intro? I hear chords and a&d same fret don't feel right.
Thank you! Glad you liked it! The intro is pretty much the same but yes there is an A played with the E on the accent. I think I will do a follow up video to this one to explain a few more things.
@@LicksOfTheBeast You are the Uncle Ben of Iron Maiden, Brother (an authority on accuracy- recognition fully deserved). I appreciate you sharing the wealth.
We all do.
First comment!!!
Thank u for this video
I learn a lot from you
Greetings from Colombia
Thank you for watching and for the encouraging words!!
May I ask you something? Does the bass line go along with Dave's line?
Yup! It's the same rhythm as Dave's part but he cuts some notes short so it's a more more pronounced staccato
Just when I thought I had it fingered out ! I actually did the same thing visually following Dave's freting...but never could replicate the obvious descension
It's a tricky one for sure!!
Such a lot of chorus, didn't help all guitarists good know this riff's. Everyone I play this riff, i feeld that somethnig was wrong. Now i know what:). Nico well done!!! You are the beast:). I'm very intersting, did anyone ask Dave and Adrian how to play this riff in guitarmagazins?
Nah I don't think there was ever any special attention paid to this riff. It's a bit of an overlooked song, really... Glad you enjoyed the tutorial though! 😃
Dammit. You're making me want to learn how to play guitar....
Analisi impeccabile 💪🏻💪🏻
🙇♂️🙏🤘
Wow, you need to have a pretty good damn ear to catch all of that
Very unique riff. I played guitar for years and somehow that riff still gives me hard time
Indeed! It's a tricky one 😅
The one you played 1st from the book sounded the best...
Isn’t one of the guitars doing an A harmony on the 7th fret D string each time the note falls on E in the intro of the song? Like the verses are just like you showed us but the very intro has that A
Yup! I explain more in this video:
th-cam.com/video/nkH1FNvrGfE/w-d-xo.html
Dave must have been going through his funk phase! 🤣
More Adrian since it's his song 😁
@@LicksOfTheBeast If Adrian instructed how Dave should track his rhythm guitars, then yes, but I kind of doubt that. Dave has always been kind of a 1st beat/downbeat player, which is what funk accentuates so clearly. Killer song nonetheless though! :D
@@Nghilifa Aaah you meant Dave's part specifically....good point! Now the question is wad that all prearranged by Adrian, did Dave funk it up a bit or did he just decide to follow Steve's bass line? These are conversations I'd love to have with the guys someday! ☺️
Great video and i agree with everything, except for the main riff that adrian plays. This main riff has been a pain for me too and trying to find how its actually played, as smith and murray both play it differently, thus "creating the madness" in a way. My opinion of the riff is that Adrian actually plays the same riff as dave, BUT he is accenting the second highest note of the "repeating lick" (if we see the moment he plays E on the A-string as the end of one repeat) once more when the next repeat starts, not continously as you suggested. There is a video from gothenburg -86 where is a longer bit of close up from Adrian playing it and it seems to me that he doesnt repeat the second highest note that many times as you suggested. Also this one clip you can hear it a bit clearer than most of the old live shows that are available on youtube (th-cam.com/video/0Lks5XvHgaQ/w-d-xo.html).
Talk about the chorus pedal, please.
2:49 a legenda em português está "aqui está o peido de adrian"
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
They never do sadly :(
669th like…. Niiiiice